Game News Round-Up

Guilty Gear Strive photo mode update makes fighters disappear when viewed at inappropriate angles

• The game's rating on PS4 and PS5 was recently made higher in Japan (CERO B - 12+ to CERO C - 15+)

Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic is coming to Switch next month

• The compilation includes Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 and 2
• December 5 release date

Pac-Man Live Experience opening in Manchester next year

• Set to open at Manchester's Arcade Arena on 22nd March 2025, the offering is described by its creators as a "multi-sensory adventure, seamlessly blending the real world with augmented reality". It's being put together by Little Lion Entertainment, which previously worked on live experiences for The Crystal Maze Live Experience and Tomb Raider.
• Tickets are available now, in 30-minute slots, at Early Bird pricing. Adult tickets are £25. Child tickets are also £25. There's no word yet on how much the experience will cost once Early Bird pricing ends.
• The experience is played in teams of eight, with two mazes operating concurrently. The full experience lasts 50 minutes, of which you should expect to spend around 30 minutes playing (though presumably less if the ghosts catch you).

Fortnite is now selling digital shoes for your character skin, with Nike Air Jordans costing around £7

Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons concert tour announced, coming to the UK in 2026

• It will be in Glasgow on 10th February 2026, before heading to Manchester on 12th February and London on 14th February.
• Features a 35 piece orchestra

AFK Journey named Google Play's Game of the Year

• Meanwhile, Supercell racks up two wins with Clash of Clans and Squad Busters

Donkey Kong Land is now available on Nintendo Switch Online

The Game Boy title was released in 1995, and is now available as part of the Game Boy app on Nintendo‘s online service

Itch wants asset creators to disclose when they've used generative AI

Lego and UNICEF team on game design toolbox prioritizing child safety

• The RITEC Design Toolbox was conceived as a means for designers to 'ensure their products are aligned with best practices for children's well-being.'

Bandai Namco subsidiary Bandai Namco Online to be dissolved and merged with parent company

• Following the closures of the short-lived Gundam Evolution and Blue Protocol, Bandai Namco is fully absorbing its online game-focused studio
• Existing IP will transfer to Bandai Namco
• It's unclear if staff will be transferred to the parent company along with its games.
• Bandai Namco said the merger comes as a result of changes across the industry but expects to continue to deliver high quality games that "exceed" the expectations of fans like Idolish7, SD Gundam Operations, and Gundam Tribe.
• The merger will complete on April 1, 2025.

Hyper Light Breaker dev Heart Machine lays off unknown number of staff

• But studio says early access launch of upcoming open-world roguelite will not be impacted

Valve updates guidelines for season passes on Steam

• Developers and publishers must commit to a release date for season pass content
• As listed on Steamworks, developers and publishers must commit to a release date for season pass content.
• It suggests if a developer is not "ready to clearly communicate" about launch timing, then a season pass shouldn't be offered on the platform.
• Valve also stipulates that each piece of content in a season pass must have a detailed description of what's included.
• For those ready to offer a season pass, release schedules can be detailed by quarter and year (such as January to March 2025), season, or precise dates.
• A release date can only be rescheduled once if there is a delay, and so long as that date is "up to three months later than originally selected."